Stabilized radio rescue beacon

Abstract

Abstract 1,072,883. Radio rescue buoys. BURNDEPT ELECTRONICS Ltd. Nov. 26, 1965 [Nov. 27, 1964], No. 48440/64. Heading B7A. [Also in Division H4] A radio rescue beacon comprises a cylindrical buoy 10 having a rod aerial 30 projecting from its upper end plate 13, said aerial being mounted on a pivoted spring-loaded baseplate 32 so that it may be swung down alongside the buoy and be secured for stowing. The upper part 12 of the buoy 10 is watertight and contains the electronio components of a transistor transmitterreceiver and the lower part 18 contains a battery, which may be sea water-activated. A switch 38 operated by the baseplate 32 upon stowage of the aerial disconnects the battery, and in a similar way connection is made to the input/output terminal of the transmitterreceiver when the aerial is elevated. A pair of spring-loaded sheet metal paddles 40, 41, which are pivotally mounted on the buoy, are folded down for stowage, but project outwards when released, under the control of biasing springs 48, Fig. 3 (not shown). The said paddles provide stabilization for the buoy, downward movements of which in the water are strongly resisted, the paddles being fully opened with their inner edges firmly against the buoy, whereas upward movements are but little resisted, the paddles closing against the springs 48. A towing cord 52, Fig. 1, extending from a bridle 54, is used to lash the paddles 40, 41 and the aerial 30 to the buoy 10 for stowage, any surplus is taken up in a suitable reel, and it is then secured by a water-soluble fastening. The aerial 30 may have a flexible extension 31, Fig. 2 (not shown). In a second embodiment, three circular paddle blades 60, 61, 62, Fig. 4 (not shown), are mounted on the bottom closure 19 of the buoy and are arranged to fold inwards, by rotation on vertical axes, for stowing. In a third embodiment, an annular space is formed around the lower end of the buoy by an outer casing 100, Figs. 5, 6 (not shown), which is open at the bottom but is closed at the top except for a number of vents 102, outside which are downwardly directed ducts 104.

Inventors

• 👤 Gordon William Fletcher
• 👤 Kenneth William Lee-Kemp

Bibliographic Details